Slide 1: An International Perspective of Accessible Technology

Presented by: Cynthia D. Waddell, Executive Director International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet

ICDRI- ADA Center Webinar 14 September 2009

Slide 2: Session Overview
•	United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
•	ITU Accessibility Training & Tools
•	World Telecommunication Policy Forum
•	Technology Convergence & Industry Accessible ICT Technical Design Standards
•	Resources Available

Slide 3: United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Adopted by General Assembly            
13 December 2006
Number of Signatories on Opening Day 30 March 2007 Highest in History

Slide 4: United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities
•	Treaty entered into Legal Force on       3 May 2008
•	Monitoring Committee Elected
•	General Assembly Resolution 61/106 Calls for United Nations System to Implement Standards & Guidelines for Accessibility of Facilities & Services 

Slide 5: United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities
As of August 19, 2009:
•	142 signatories to the Convention
•	85 signatories to the Optional Protocol
•	64 ratifications of the Convention
•	42 ratifications of the Optional Protocol

Slide 6: US Signs UNCRPD 30 July 2009
Ambassador Susan Rice Signs on Behalf of the  US with Valerie Jarrett, Senior              Presidential Advisor. 

Slide 7: United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities 
Image of world map with the status of individual countries signing the with the convention and protocol http://www.un.org/disabilities/documents/maps/enablemap.jpg 

Slide 8: UNCRPD- Disability
Disability is an evolving concept and results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder full and effective participation in society on equal basis with others. Preamble

Slide 9: UNCRPD- Disability
Example 
Person using a headstick might have difficulty accessing content on a website not because of a mobility disability, but because keyboard access is blocked by the inaccessible design of the website.
Slide 10: UNCRPD- Equal Access to the Internet
States Parties Shall Ensure Internet Access for Persons with Disabilities, on an Equal
Basis with Others, by
•	Implementing Minimum Standards & Guidelines for Accessibility of Services Article 9(2a)

Slide 11: UNCRPD- Equal Access to the Internet
•	Ensuring that Private Entities offering services to the public take into account accessibility Article 9(2b)
•	Providing training to stakeholders on accessibility issues Article 9(2c)

Slide 12: UNCRPD- Equal Access to the Internet
•	Promoting access to new ICT and systems, including the Internet     Article 9(2g)
•	Promoting accessible ICT or web to minimize cost at early stage in Design, Development, Production and Distribution  Article 9(2h)

Slide 13: UNCRPD- Accessible Web Design
Article 4 General Obligations Require States parties to: 
•	Promote Universal Design in Development of Standards & Guidelines
•	Promote Assistive Technologies in Research, Development, Availability and Affordability

Slide 14: UNCRPD- Accessible Web Design
Universal Design is the design of products, environments, programs and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.  “Universal design” shall not exclude assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed.  Article 2

Slide 15: UNCRPD- Accessible Web Design
Article 4 General Obligations Continued:
•	Provide Accessible Information about new technologies and support services
•	Promote Training on the Convention

Slide 16: UNCRPD- Accessible Web Design
Freedom of Expression and Opinion, and Access to Information
States Parties are to urge private entities and mass media to provide accessible information and services on their public web sites. Article 21

Slide 17: UNCRPD- Accessible Web Implementation
Statistical & Data Collection     
Collect Statistical & Research Data 
•	To Assess Convention Implementation 
•	To Identify Barriers
•	Data Itself to be Accessible  
 Article 31    

Slide 18: UNCRPD- Accessible Web Implementation
International Cooperation       
Facilitate Research & Access to Scientific & Technical Knowledge; Provide Technical & Economic Assistance; Technology Transfer. Article 32             

Slide 19: UNCRPD- Accessible Web Implementation
Reports by State Parties (Article 35)
•	Each State shall submit to the Monitoring Committee a comprehensive report on measures taken to meet obligations under the Convention
•	First report within two years of May 3, 2008
•	Subsequent reports every 4 years

Slide 20: UNCRPD- Accessible Web Implementation
Monitoring Committee
•	Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities
•	Housed in the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights 
•	Website: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRPD/Pages/CRPDIndex.aspx

Slide 21: Int’l Telecommunication Union Accessibility Training & Tools
Policy Maker Toolkit on e-Accessibility & Service Needs for Persons with Disabilities
•	Online Joint Project of ITU and G3ict Global Initiative for Inclusive ICT (Flagship initiative of UN Global Alliance for ICT/Development)
•	http://g3ict.com/resource_center/toolkit

Slide 22: Int’l Telecommunication Union Accessibility Training & Tools
ITU Accessibility Training July 2008 
•	Regional Workshop on ICT Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities for Africa Region   Lusaka, Zambia
•	25 Countries Represented by NGO’s & Telecommunication Regulators
Slide 23: Lusaka, Zambia Participants 
Photo of Lusaka, Zambia Participants

Slide 24: Int’l Telecommunication Union Accessibility Training & Tools
ITU Accessibility Training July 2008 
•	Resources for Africa Region
•	Policies & Best Practices Research Paper (English & French) by Cynthia Waddell
•	Real Time Captioning, Web Accessibility, Online Conferencing

Slide 25: World Telecommunication Policy Forum – Lisbon 4/09
Photo of World Telecommunication Policy Forum – Lisbon 4/09

Slide 26: World Telecommunication Policy Forum – Lisbon 4/09
ITU Secretary-General’s Report
•	Section 5, Emerging Telecommunication Policy & Regulatory Issues
•	Section 5.3.8 Accessible ICT for Persons with Disabilities

Slide 27: World Telecommunication Policy Forum – Remote Car
Photo of World Telecommunication Policy Forum – Lisbon 4/09 Remote CART

Slide 28: Technology Convergence
•	Web combines all known communication media- voice, data and video – into a single service
•	Previously separate technologies are now able to share resources & interact to create new efficiencies

Slide 29: Technology Convergence
•	Computer networks with different operating systems can communicate via different protocols
•	Critical to maintain accessible design in coming complexities
•	Continue to build accessibility into design of all technologies & products

Slide 30: Industry Accessible ICT Technical Design Standards

•	Emerging field with international standards community becoming increasing active
•	JTC1 Special Working Group on Accessibility- http://www.jtc1access.org/ 
•	ITU Total Conversation Service

Slide 31: Industry Accessible ICT Technical Design Standards
•	Total Conversation ITU-T Rec. F.703 
•	Real time transfer of video, text and voice
•	Videophone with real time text http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-F.703/en

Slide 32: Total Conversation
Photo of Total Conversation System

Slide 33: Total Conversation
Photo of Total Conversation System

Slide 34: Industry Accessible ICT Technical Design Standards
European Commission Mandate 376 to European Standardization Organizations (ICT accessibility requirements for public procurement of products and services in the ICT domain)

Slide 35: Resources
Web Accessibility:  Web Standards and Regulatory Compliance
By Jim Thatcher, Cynthia Waddell et al
Published by Apress 2006
ISBN: 1-59059-638-2
Published in Japanese 2007
ISBN: 978-4-8399-2220-7

Slide 36: Resources
Handbook for Parliamentarians on the Convention Available Free at                    http://www.un.org/disabilities

Slide 37: Resources
Involving People with Disabilities in the Standardisation Process by Dr. John Gill, Chief Scientist, Royal National Institute of Blind People

Available Free at  www.tiresias.org/publications/disabilities_standardisation/index.htm 

Slide 38: Resources
Cynthia Waddell, Juris Doctor
Executive Director and Law, Policy and Technology Subject Matter Expert, International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet
Senior Consultant to ITU on Accessibility
E-mail: Cynthia.Waddell@icdri.org